RIZWAN MUAZZAM QAWWALI GROUP

Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali are a Pakistani musical group known for their captivating performances of Qawwali. Qawwali is an Arabic word that means ‘utterance’ and it is the devotional music of the Sufis of Pakistan and India, a centuries-old devotional music tradition of the Sufi mystics.

The group is led by brothers, Rizwan and Muazzam Mujahid Ali Khan, who carry a rich musical legacy. They are the nephews of the legendary Qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and their family lineage in Qawwali stretches back over five centuries.

Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali are dedicated to continuing Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's pioneering efforts. They strive to transcend cultural, language, and religious barriers, bringing the beauty and spiritual depth of Qawwali to a global audience.

Performing in the traditional Qawwali style, the brothers sit on the ground while delivering powerful vocals. Their music is characterized by intricate call-and-response patterns, rhythmic handclapping, and the mesmerizing melodies of the harmonium and tabla.

Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali have achieved international acclaim. Since their debut in the late 1990s, they have released several albums which have garnered praise for their exceptional musicianship and soulful expression. The group has also captivated audiences worldwide with their electrifying live shows, performing at prestigious events like the WOMAD Festival and the Commonwealth Games.

They perform internationally and have performed in numerous collaborations and have produced numerous albums for Real World Records.

albums

Sacrifice To Love
People’s Colony No. 1
A Better Destiny

Day of Colours
Aatish (Hidden Fire)

Coming Soon*** At the Feet of The Beloved

(Feb 2025)

how we started...

My father didn't at all want us to enter this field. He had a very strict temperament and he said "No, you will not be able to do it, it’s very difficult, it’s a very hard job."

But then our teachers insisted we perform Qawwali at an event.

I said "We never learnt this ." My brother, Rizwan Ali Khan Sahib, said "Sir, we've never sung, we don't know how."

So, we learnt an item of Khan sahib.

We performed at school. We won the Punjab section! People congratulated our father. After that there was an Urs for Baba Lasoori Shah Sahib. People asked for us to be entered. Our father asked us "Would you sing?", we felt encouraged that our father was asking us! We said, "If you tell us, we will definitely do it."

He said "You perform, I will sit in the audience."

This was our starting time, we got started from there.

-Muazzam Ali Khan (Translated From Urdu)